Archive for January, 2012

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31 January, 2012

Which needs do people most often bring to the Bible?

by Andrew Rogers

I thought this video from Biblegateway was pretty interesting. Not only does the music remind me of the soundtrack for “The Royal Tenenbaums” (which is always a good thing) but the section about which verses that were searched the most on Biblegateway in 2011 was particularly cool. Here they are in case you missed them:

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

As a marketer I try to keep my eyes open for the “felt needs”  of people. In other words, I look for what it is about ____ that makes people want it. If Biblegateway’s searches can be used as any sort of social-cultural barometer then I think we’ve stumbled on something: The felt needs that most often get people searching Biblegateway are likely buried in these verses. The felt needs people bring to these verses are probably something like: a need to know that God is in control; a need to know how to be saved (or to get to heaven, or to escape hell, or however you want to think about it); a need for encouragement from God during a time when strength is needed; a need for a reminder that God is wise; a need to know that God is in control (again).

God’s sovereignty, salvation, God’s strength, God’s wisdom, and God’s sovereignty again.

I wonder, by and large, do these needs match the needs of the folks in your congregation?

If so, how does the knowledge of these needs in your congregation affect how you go about doing ministry?

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30 January, 2012

Francis Chan on being “Sifted”

by Andrew Rogers

Have you been to the annual Exponential Conference? It’s held every April in Orlando, Fl. I’ve attended in 2009 and 2011 and am gearing up for going again this year. The theme of the 2012 conference is “Sifted” as it is used by the Lord in Luke 22:31-31:

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

The idea is that God allows sifting to take place in the lives of his ministry leaders. Some say he doesn’t just allow it, he intentionally sifts his leaders. Here’s a video from Francis Chan explaining the concept in more detail.

One quote in this video has got me thinking. It’s near the beginning. Chan says, “it really is over the years that God humbles you, he uh, sometimes even humiliates you. But it’s all for a good cause. It’s all about building you up.”

read more »

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26 January, 2012

What is a Small Group?

by cubfann

There are as many theories on how to do small groups as there are churches.  Some are connection groups, providing ways for people within a church to get to know others; some are discipleship groups, for serious Bible study; some are seeker groups, trying to connect people just exploring the faith.  There are many other models as well.  I came across a video that one church posted promoting small groups to their congregation.

What are your thoughts on this video?  What kind of small group are you involved in?

(HT: Mark Howell)

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26 January, 2012

Thursday Giveaway – Fatherless Generation

by Mason

Fatherlessness is a story that many can resonate with, and it has devastating consequences for individuals and communities alike. From shame and loneliness, to gangs and teen pregnancy, fatherlessness is a driving force behind many of young people’s greatest struggles.

But it doesn’t have to be that way, we can reach out to the fatherless and be their for them when their own fathers were not, all while pointing them to the Father of us all.

In Fatherless Generation: Redeeming the Story, John Sowers recounts his own story of fatherlessness and how it led to him working with Don Miller on The Mentoring Project.

To enter this week’s giveaway comment below with one example of how the Church can come alongside the fatherless.

Also, a bonus entry is a available if you comment a second time letting us know that you shared a link to this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog.

_________________

*If you are reading this via Facebook, email, or RSS, please visit the blog to enter. One winner will be determined by Random Integer Generator. Giveaway ends Friday at Noon*

Posted in Giveaways | 2 Comments »

25 January, 2012

Drive Through History : Conquest, Canaanites, and the Holy City

by Mason

What is the real story behind the Valley of Megiddo – otherwise known as Armageddon?

Whatever happened to Jericho after its walls came tumbling down?

How does the history of the Bible parallel with what we know of ancient Empires?

Is it possible to stand where Joshua once declared “as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.”?

All these questions and more are answered in Conquests Cannanites, and the Holy City, Volume Two of Drive Through History with Dave Stotts.

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24 January, 2012

Keep the Bible in Your Bible Study

by cubfann

I read a great article on reformation21 (HT:Challies) about Effective Group Bible Study.  My main focus at Zondervan is to tell the world about our fabulous small group curriculum, so naturally I was interested in how to help people have an effective small group.  Pastor William Boekestein, who wrote the article, has some great points about effective group study, but one that really rose to the surface for me was to keep the Bible first.  Now this sounds like a given, but  too often in our groups, we rely on the study material and use the Bible as extra credit work.

Scripture studies are almost always aided by a well-written guide. Some of the best guides are commentaries, especially those that began as a sermon series. Homiletical commentaries combine the best of careful exegesis and pastoral application.(1)

One of the dangers, though, of using a study guide is that the Bible can become eclipsed by a lesser book. It is easy to subconsciously begin to treat the Bible as the “raw materials” and the study guide as the “finished product,” favoring the latter.
To avoid misusing supplemental materials, make them the last part of your preparation for the group study. First, work through the scripture passage in focus. Ask questions about the text. Note observations and applications. Use the study questions to stimulate thought before turning to the “answers” in the commentary. In this way the commentary becomes a sounding board for your ideas and conclusions rather than a source book. The Bereans took such an approach. They “…received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11).
A related principle is that group discussions should be guided by Scripture not by personal opinion. This does not mean that a question or comment is inappropriate just because it is an opinion. It does mean that conclusions that are reached and counsel that is given should be biblically based.

Much of the curriculum we produce has been used as sermon material that was preached in the pastors church:

What I appreciate about our video curriculum is that each teacher grounds what s/he has to say in the Bible.  Our participant’s guides have Scripture discussion, and point people to the Bible.  But in our groups, we cannot view that as bonus or “if we have time”.  No matter how good a communicator the teacher is, or how well written the participant’s guide is, they are all just commentary on the Bible.  The Bible must remain the central focus in all our small groups and Bible studies.
In addition to what Pastor Boekestein mentions in his article, here are some other thoughts:
  • make sure everyone in your group brings a Bible to small group
  • read all the recommended passages in the participant’s guides
  • consider standing as you read Scripture as a reminder of the weight of it’s words
  • before you share an opinion, know how you would back it up with Scripture

*Above I have linked the full first sessions for those curriculum.  To see more full first sessions on YouTube, go to the curriculum playlist here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL592D0CEC3F56A982

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23 January, 2012

Coming Soon – Verge 2012

by Mason

From 2.28.12 to 3.02.12 many of the leading voices in the missional church movement will be gathered in Austin TX for the Verge 2012 Conference.

Verge will feature almost fifty speakers, including Zondervan authors Brandon Hatmaker, Dave Ferguson, Dave Gibbons, Matt Carter, Jon Sowers, Hugh Halter, Darrin Patrick, and Alan Hirsch.

Registration is still open, so stop by the homepage and sign up for Verge 2012!

 

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19 January, 2012

Thursday Giveaway – Insights on Luke

by Mason

“Luke shows us an all-powerful Creator taking on the fragile frame of a mortal. His gospel presents a man who is never so deified as to be distant or uncaring. On the contrary, the man he describes, Jesus climbs down from the heavenly realms to enter the clutter and chaos of our fallen world and to subject Himself to our faults and frailties, pains and passions, sorrows and sicknesses. In Luke’s account alone we hear the helpless infant cry of the Almighty.”

With these words Chuck Swindoll begins he latest commentary, Insights on Luke.

Combining Swindoll’s pastoral and scholarly insight with his skill as a storyteller, Insights on Luke brings the gospel story to life, filled with drama, power, and truth.

Featuring verse-by-verse commentary along with charts, maps, asides discussing application or important concepts, and reflections from Swindoll’s personal journal, this volume is a perfect companion for small groups, Sunday schools, and pastors preparing a sermon on Luke’s gospel.

To enter the giveaway for Insights on Luke, simply comment below with your answer to this question: Luke addressed his Gospel to “Theophilus,” who do you think Theophilus was?

Also, a bonus entry is a available if you comment a second time letting us know that you shared a link to this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog.

_________________

*If you are reading this via Facebook, email, or RSS, please visit the blog to enter. One winner will be determined by Random Integer Generator. Giveaway ends Friday at Noon*

 

Posted in Giveaways | 2 Comments »

18 January, 2012

Love is an Orientation – The DVD Curriculum

by Mason

What does it mean to have love as our orientation?

Andrew Marin’s ministry has led to many important conversations in the Church, and his new DVD curriculum Love is an Orientation already has people talking as you can see from this review by Matthew McNutt.

I finished working my way through all six sessions of Andrew Marin’s new DVD study resource based on his book, ‘Love is an Orientation.’ The short review? It’s a must buy. Well put together, thought provoking, amazing DVD that lives up to the book it is based on and the topic of elevating the conversation with the LGBT community…

…I think one of the significant things Marin has done in this resource is include the stories of six individuals representing different places in the LGBT community. I think it’s important because for many conservative and/or legalistic church goers watching this series, it humanizes the conversation. It’s a lot easier to resort to hate and angry rhetoric when you don’t know the other person’s story or heart. 

Maybe this is the best way I can recommend this resource: literally within moments of finishing session six, I got online and ordered several more copies of the DVD and study guides. This is the one topic that more of our high school small groups are asking to work through, but my leaders don’t feel like they have the resources to tackle it well – now they will. 

You can read the full review here.

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17 January, 2012

Leadership Journal Book Awards Honor Zondervan Titles

by Mason

Leadership Journal unveiled its 2011 Book Awards, and two Zondervan titles made the list!

Humilitas: A Lost Key to Life, Love, and Leadership, by John Dickson, was awarded the “Best of the Best” award in the Leaders Inner Life category.

 “A transformative yet largely unexplored virtue is explored from various angles to reveal its surprising depth and power.” –Wayne Schmidt

Making the “Very Short List” in the Leaders Outer Life category was Move: What 1,000 Churches Reveal about Spiritual Growth, by Greg L. Hawkins and Cally Parkinson

“Compelling research breaks church leaders out of denial and directs them to the truth about our greatest commission—making disciples.” –Wayne Schmidt

Congrats to the authors of these excellent books, and to everyone who worked so hard to bring them to the public.

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